Thought it isn’t as strong as the April Avalon or Ark run, I have always thought that this University of Colorado show on TDIH was one of ’69s best hidden gems. There are some bad cuts, especially when the tape runs out at the end of a killer Alligator jam, but otherwise there is little to complain about, and the sound quality is great, especially the Miller transfer.

Highlights are plentiful: the Lovelight opener is strong, as well as a nice Schoolgirl with Pig and Garcia trading some hot licks. A fantastically jammed out Morning Dew follows, with Garcia starting from a beautiful whisper and rising to a blinding crescendo. Also a great, jazzy version of the Eleven, and the aforementioned Alligator, with a very nice GDTRFB jam.

But the must-hear highlight is an epic version of Dark Star, one of the very best performances of the song in 1969. I’ve gone back and forth on this a lot, but I think this could be my favorite version of the year, too.

The pre-verses jamming is extraordinary; Garcia’s use of dynamics is simply masterful, escalating and relaxing at the perfect moments. After a brief space, the band launch into a fast paced, psychedelic jazz jam, Garcia, Lesh and the drummers intertwining very nicely. Things become a bit poignant, just before Garcia rides the Dark Star theme powerfully to an intense conclusion:

This is better than yesterday's in history - the run up to the first verse is much longer and more inventive. Not that the 12th is bad, it has it's moments (and also a nice 'He was a friend') but the sound quality is better on the 13th. You do however get to see the poster for the 12th.